Good Morning!
Wow! I've had several very good nights of sleep in a row (almost 9 hours last night!!). [Hopefuly I have not just jinxed myself.]
Work was annoying (what a surprise) and busier than I expected yesterday. The parking lot had a lot of cars. Fortunately I did not see everyone - LOL. I spent some (frustrating) time with Bruce. Long story, but basically I cannot really be supportive of him and his team if they don't help me out. For over 6 months now, Bruce has been saying things will change and they don't. I guess I finally got fed up and kind of laid down the law yesterday. Really I don't want to ruffle too many (but a few) feathers, but I would like to be able to do my job. We shall see if my little talk had any impact...if not, the next year plus should go fairly quickly and then (hopefully) I will be ready to retire (if not before...).
I did start to do open enrollment, but I need to finish that up today. Open enrollment closes the 17th and I'd like to be finished with it. The balance of my agenda today is picking up my new glasses (finally!!) and working on some financial spreadsheets for both Mike and Lisa. A stop at the post office is in order as well.
But first...it is Unraveled Wednesday and as usual I am linking up with Kat and her merry band of Unravelers to talk about making and reading. Do take the time to check out the links on her blog - so much inspiration there!
After (finally) finishing the socks for Peggy, I cast on the scarf for Zhongren (Mailing's Dad) that I want to have finished before Christmas. The pattern is simple (easy to memorize), but effective and I love the yarn I am using.
That's about 18" or just about halfway through. Here's a close up so you can see how the pattern knits up:
The yarn is some I bought at the NJ Sheep & Wool festival this past September. It is Jackalope (80% superwash merino and 20% nylon) from the Light Brown Hare and the colorway is Call Box #3 (someone said this is from Dr. Who? I don't know as I've never watched that show). The pattern is Mariner's scarf from The Seamen's church Institute and is free on Ravelry (Rav Link).
I've been thinking of making This Cowl for Bonnie (Mailing's Mom), but I'm beginning to question whether I will have sufficient time. I may end up making her some fingerless mitts and then knit the cowl next year. Time will tell.
On the reading side of things, not much has happened. I did finish Water Like a Stone by Deborah Crombie (book #11 in the Duncan Kincaid/Gemma James series). None of the books in this series are what I would call compelling - they are just enjoyable mysteries. I enjoyed this one as it talked a bit about Narrowboats and after reading "The Narrowboat Summer" a few months ago it was fun to get descriptions of some. Many are really fancy and outfitted with the most modern of conveniences. Still...7' wide is not very wide...Of course, our camper is like that (and much shorter than a Narrowboat), but we don't live in our camper...we just use it for a week or two here and there.
Last night I started reading The Sweetness of Water and oh my! I have not gotten far (only 25 pages or so before my eyes were closing), but I have already come across several sentences I want to share with my friend Leslie who is a writer. The language and the writing are both beautiful. I can tell that the book will not be a happy one, but coming across phrases and sentences that I want to jot down is sheer joy!
OK! My second cup of coffee has been poured and it is time for me to do a bit of work before heading out for errands. Be sure to check out the links on Kat's blog and have a fabulous Wednesday!
The scarf is just beautiful, Vera! What a lovely gift for Zhongren. And you're taking a wise approach to a gift for Bonnie. There is no need to pressure yourself with a project that is too "big" for the time you have to finish. :-) And . . . good for you for speaking out and setting some standards (boundaries? expectations?) for your boss. It's nice to know retirement is near. . . just in case. XO
ReplyDeleteI have watched Doctor Who, so I do get the reference of the yarn colorway -- it's exactly the color of the TARDIS, which is a sort of time-traveling machine that the Doctor uses, and it's disguised as a public police call box (sort of a phone booth for calling the police, I gather?). Anyway, it's that perfect shade of blue, and it's knitting up very nicely in that scarf.
ReplyDeleteI also applaud you for speaking up about the work issues. Most people as close to retirement as you are would just grin and bear it, but I know you want to do your job well, and if other people are making your job harder, they should know that! I hope you see a difference/improvement because of it.
I applaud you speaking up at work. My Sil is a physician who isn't ready to retire but she just went to part-time. She was appalled at the office conditions one day (only one nurse scheduled, no support staff), and that meant long waits for patients and frazzled nerves and overwork for the nurse. She cancelled all her appts., emailed the office manager and explained that she was going home until the office was fully staffed. It took two days but it worked. She said she had to speak up before a mistake got made, and as a senior physician she felt able to speak up when some of the younger staff might not. Come on, Bruce!
ReplyDeleteThat scarf is gorgeous and I'm sure Zhongren will appreciate it. I'm also sure Bonnie will appreciate whatever you decide to knit for her. You gained some wonderful people in your life when Colin married Mailing.
That is a beautiful scarf and color too. I have never watched Dr. Who but it seems to have been pretty popular doesn't it?
ReplyDeleteGood for you standing up for your work conditions. I was always too meek and mild. Until I quit. I had just had it. I had one boss who sometimes referred to us as the "office b******" among other things. I know I should have reported them to someone but it was time to go anyway. I loved my job but not the atmosphere. I usually don't toot my own horn, but I was good at it too and I missed it when I quit. Now I LOVE being home and can't imagine ever going to work again. I sure hope things get better for you.
Blessings and hugs,
Betsy
Gorgeous color of yarn for Zhongren‘s scarf. I’ve used that pattern and enjoyed knitting it. It’s time to speak up if someone’s lack of cooperation makes it difficult or impossible to do your own job, especially if this is not the first time it’s happened. I hope the situation is corrected soon.
ReplyDeleteThe scarf is gorgeous! I know what you mean about the pinch of time for all of the items still to be knitted! lol Sorry work has been frustrating; it helps to know you don't have a long time to have to put up with it!
ReplyDeleteI was a big Dr. Who fan when it was on Netflix but BBC America has so many darn commercials I can't keep up with the plot so I gave it up and yes, the call box is blue. Bigger inside than outside..which is a Dr. Who joke.
ReplyDeleteThat is a pretty scarf. Fingerless mitts are always a nice gift and a fairly quick knit. I vote for them - for what it is worth.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful scarf in such a vibrant colour. Knitting on a deadline is tough. I just got a request from the littlest granddaughter, but luckily it's very simple, just teddybears and hand puppets. Quick, easy knits. Still, I'm not procrastinating. We all know the dangers.
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